Pictured (L-R): Margaret Tomlin (VP, A&R, SMN), Taylor Lindsey (Chair & CEO, SMN), Kane Brown, Ken Robold (President & COO, SMN) and Martha Earls (Owner, Neon Coast). Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
After 10 years of success together, Sony Music Nashville and global superstar Kane Brown have renewed their partnership, with the multi-Platinum-selling artist signing a new multi-album, worldwide deal with the label.
“Kane has been an undeniable force who has pushed the boundaries in country music for the past 10 years,” says Taylor Lindsey, Sony Music Nashville Chair & CEO. “His talent, great music and ability to connect with his fans is what sets him apart. We are so excited to be his partner as he enters this new era of creativity and look forward to being on this journey with him.”
“I’m really excited about my partnership with Sony Music,” says Brown. “We’ve built something special together over the years, and I’ve got so much respect for Taylor, Ken [Robold], Margaret [Tomlin], and the whole Sony Nashville team. It feels like we’re just getting started.”
Since signing with Sony Music Nashville, Brown has garnered more than 20 billion streams worldwide, scored 13 No. 1 singles at country radio, earned over 60 RIAA certified records—including two Diamond hits, “What Ifs” and “Heaven”—notched over 25 awards nominations and 14 wins and has sold out stadiums and arenas across the globe.
Additionally, Brown has earned numerous accolades for his ongoing philanthropic work with The Boys & Girls Club, including the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Humanitarian Award, the Champion of Youth Award from The Boys & Girls Club and the People’s Choice Country Awards Country Champion Award. After being named to TIME’s 100 most influential people list in 2021, Brown became the first black artist in history to headline and sell out Boston’s historic Fenway Park (2023).
Brown has also stepped into film and television as an actor and executive producer, is a founder of Verse2—a publishing venture in partnership with Sony Music Publishing—and is set to open his new Nashville bar, Kane’s on Broadway, later this year.
Brown recently kicked off his next era of music with the new track and music video, “Woman.”
Sony Music Nashville & Kane Brown Renew Worldwide Deal
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Margaret Tomlin (VP, A&R, SMN), Taylor Lindsey (Chair & CEO, SMN), Kane Brown, Ken Robold (President & COO, SMN) and Martha Earls (Owner, Neon Coast). Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
After 10 years of success together, Sony Music Nashville and global superstar Kane Brown have renewed their partnership, with the multi-Platinum-selling artist signing a new multi-album, worldwide deal with the label.
“Kane has been an undeniable force who has pushed the boundaries in country music for the past 10 years,” says Taylor Lindsey, Sony Music Nashville Chair & CEO. “His talent, great music and ability to connect with his fans is what sets him apart. We are so excited to be his partner as he enters this new era of creativity and look forward to being on this journey with him.”
“I’m really excited about my partnership with Sony Music,” says Brown. “We’ve built something special together over the years, and I’ve got so much respect for Taylor, Ken [Robold], Margaret [Tomlin], and the whole Sony Nashville team. It feels like we’re just getting started.”
Since signing with Sony Music Nashville, Brown has garnered more than 20 billion streams worldwide, scored 13 No. 1 singles at country radio, earned over 60 RIAA certified records—including two Diamond hits, “What Ifs” and “Heaven”—notched over 25 awards nominations and 14 wins and has sold out stadiums and arenas across the globe.
Additionally, Brown has earned numerous accolades for his ongoing philanthropic work with The Boys & Girls Club, including the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Humanitarian Award, the Champion of Youth Award from The Boys & Girls Club and the People’s Choice Country Awards Country Champion Award. After being named to TIME’s 100 most influential people list in 2021, Brown became the first black artist in history to headline and sell out Boston’s historic Fenway Park (2023).
Brown has also stepped into film and television as an actor and executive producer, is a founder of Verse2—a publishing venture in partnership with Sony Music Publishing—and is set to open his new Nashville bar, Kane’s on Broadway, later this year.
Brown recently kicked off his next era of music with the new track and music video, “Woman.”
Morgan Wallen Partners With SiriusXM To Launch New 24/7 Channel
/by LB CantrellSiriusXM and global superstar Morgan Wallen will launch a new exclusive year-round country music channel on April 7. Morgan Wallen Radio will debut on channel 64 and the SiriusXM app.
Curated and presented by Wallen, the channel will include his biggest hits and fan favorites. In addition to his catalog, subscribers will hear songs from the country megastar’s musical influences and unexpected favorites. Listeners will also hear exclusive commentary and behind-the-scenes stories from Wallen on the making of his music, artists that have left a major impact on him and untold stories from the road as he prepares for his upcoming “Still The Problem” 23-date stadium tour.
Morgan Wallen Radio will be available for free in all SiriusXM-equipped vehicles from launch on April 7 through May 6, giving non-subscribers a chance to experience the service.
“Listeners can expect to hear a lot of things that I listen to on a day-to-day basis, which is probably a lot different than what most people expect,” shares Wallen. “I will be personally curating the music so they will get a glimpse into my world. I’m excited for everyone to hear it.”
“Morgan Wallen is undeniably one of the most influential forces shaping and creating music today,” says Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer at SiriusXM. “At SiriusXM, we’re always looking for ways to bring fans closer to the artists they love, and this launch does just that, from a channel curated by Morgan himself to an exclusive concert experience that gives listeners unprecedented access to his music, his influences, and his live performance.”
Wallen will celebrate the channel’s launch with a recorded, intimate live performance at Nashville’s The Pinnacle on April 2. SiriusXM subscribers and fans can enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show. Fans who do not live in the Nashville area can also enter for a chance to win a VIP trip to the concert.
LOCASH Launches Music City Power Company With Partners Skip Bishop & Shane Harluk
/by Lorie HollabaughLOCASH. Photo: Josh Beech
LOCASH has partnered with manager Skip Bishop and entrepreneur Shane Harluk to launch a new artist development and music marketing hub, Music City Power Company.
Comprised of artists, songwriters and executives, the team will provide A&R, creative direction, distribution, marketing and radio services to clients. The company will be headquartered in Nashville, while the Calgary-based Harluk will lead operations in Canada. Music City Power Company has emerged as a natural extension of Galaxy Label Group, which LOCASH’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas officially founded in 2024. Bishop has also managed the group since 2023, while Harluk has a longstanding friendship with the duo.
Mara Sidweber
Galaxy Label Group and Music City Power Company have appointed Mara Sidweber to the dual role of VP Promotion and Strategy for Music City Power Company and National Promotion for Galaxy Label Group. She will report directly to Bishop. Reach her at mara@galaxylabelgroup.net.
Sidweber spent 12 years at Capitol Records, Nashville in addition to leading marketing and radio promotion at Southern Ground Artists for four years in between. As one of the industry’s top promotion executives, she has spearheaded campaigns for Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Little Big Town, Lady A, Darius Rucker and Jon Pardi, catalyzing 61 No. 1 records. She will now oversee radio promotion for Music City Power Company and Galaxy Label Group.
“At Galaxy, we are deeply familiar with the tools, team, energy and leadership needed to break through and win,” says Bishop. “The Music City Power Company has assembled the best of the best and will offer a level of modern, focused expertise and passion that independent artists need right now.”
Chris Young To Open New Midtown Sports Bar Famous Friends
/by Lauryn SinkChris Young. Photo: John Shearer
Chris Young has unveiled his new sports bar, Famous Friends.
Located in Midtown at 1516A Demonbreun St., more details about the venue, including its grand opening timeline and venue features, will be unveiled in the coming months.
“I’m very excited for Famous Friends to be open in Nashville! I have been working on this as a passion project for a while now,” Young tells Billboard. “A sports bar that will be Nashville famous for a reason. Something completely different where you can bring all your friends for a great time!”
Young released his latest project, I Didn’t Come Here To Leave, last October. His single “Til The Last One Dies” is currently top 20 at country radio.
Gavin Adcock To Kick Off ‘The Day I Hang It Up Tour’ In May
/by Lorie HollabaughGavin Adcock. Photo: Madelyn Ormond
Gavin Adcock will launch his new 2026 headline “The Day I Hang It Up Tour” beginning May 7 in Hollywood, Florida.
The 27-city tour will visit Spokane, Cincinnati, Lubbock, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Savannah and more through Nov. 14. Rotating support artists joining Adcock on the dates include Braxton Keith, Corey Kent, Jake Worthington, Pecos & The Rooftops, Tyler Nance, and The Creekers.
Tickets will be available starting with a fan club presale on March 18 with additional presales running throughout the week ahead of the general on sale March 20.
In addition to his own dates, Adcock will join Morgan Wallen for the second time on 16 dates of Wallen’s “Still The Problem Tour 2026.” Adcock has collectively amassed more than 1.5 billion global streams across singles including “A Cigarette,” “Run Your Mouth,” “Deep End,” “Four Leaf Clover” and more. His album Own Worst Enemy, released in August 2025, debuted as the top new country album on the Billboard 200 Country Chart at No. 4 and top streaming new album on the Billboard 200 All-Genre Chart at No. 14 the week of release.
Randy Montana Tops MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenRandy Montana
Randy Montana has claimed the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Pushing the songwriter to No. 1 this week is Riley Green’s “Change My Mind,” Jackson Dean’s “Make A Liar,” Luke Combs’ “Sleepless In A Hotel Room,” and Justin Moore and Dierks Bentley’s “Time’s Ticking.” This also marks Montana’s first time at No. 1 in chart history.
Blake Pendergrass moves up to No. 2 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Ain’t A Bad Life,” “Brunette,” “Don’t We,” “I Got Better,” and “Wish You Well.” Chase McGill climbs to No. 3 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Brunette,” “I Got Better,” “McArthur,” “the hell you are,” and “Water At A Wedding.”
Ty Myers (No. 4) and Megan Moroney (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
The Truth Unveils Grand Opening Lineup
/by Madison HahnenThe Truth rendering
Nashville’s newest venue The Truth has revealed its first slate of artists for the grand opening this fall. Sitting in Wedgewood Houston, the venue will hold a capacity of 4,400.
Among the venue’s 22 opening acts are HARDY, Jo Dee Messina, Wyatt Flores, Scotty McCreery, Stephen Wilson Jr. and more.
“This first chapter reflects exactly what we set out to build with The Truth, a room where global icons, breakout artists and hometown voices can all share the same stage,” says Grant Lyman, President, Live Nation US Regions East. “This is just the beginning. We look forward to announcing many more shows as we shape a grand opening season that reflects the depth and diversity of Nashville’s music community.”
“Nashville is one of the most important music cities in the world,” adds Sally Williams, President of Nashville Music & Business Strategy, Live Nation. “With The Truth, we’re creating a venue that reflects Nashville’s legacy of performance and songwriting. It will be a space built for artists, built for sound, and built for the kind of live experience Nashville fans deserve.”
Live Nation has also partnered with Isle of Printing to create a collectible letterpress poster with the inaugural lineup. Upon venue opening, The Truth will debut its Set List Studio, where fans can purchase hand-crafted, letterpress set list posters unique to each show.
The opening headliner and additional shows will be announced soon. On sale date information for individual shows can be found here.
The Truth Grand Opening Lineup:
October 5- Freya Skye
October 6- Amyl and the Sniffers
October 8- Bleachers
October 11 & 12- Limp Bizkit
October 19- Sting
October 21- Rawayana
October 24- Kevin Gates
October 29 & 30- HARDY
October 31- Beck
November 1- The Living Tombstone
November 4- GloRilla
November 5- Daniel Sloss
November 6- Jo Dee Messina
November 12- Jimmy Eat World
November 13- Subtronics
November 14- The Neighbourhood
November 21- Wyatt Flores
November 25- Blue October
December 3- Scotty McCreery
December 5- Two Friends
December 9- Sabaton
December 11- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Ethan Garner Inks With RECORDS Nashville In Partnership With RCA Records
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Barry Weiss (RECORDS), Ethan Garner, Matt Musacchio (Champ Management/Red Light Management; (L-R, back row): Andrew Saltman (RECORDS), Josh Easler (RECORDS), Josh Brackin (Brackin Law), Joe Fisher (RECORDS). Photo: Courtesy of RECORDS Nashville
Ethan Garner has signed a label deal with RECORDS Nashville in partnership with RCA Records. His debut single, “Red Wine Stains,” is set for release on March 20.
Just two years after making the move to Nashville, the Georgia-born artist has landed a publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog Music and built early buzz with fans drawn to his blend of classic influences and modern songwriting. Raised on icons like Elvis Presley and The Eagles, Garner attended Belmont University and quickly found his footing in the songwriting community, developing a sound rooted in country storytelling and driven by big hooks and wide-open melodies.
“We are thrilled to welcome the gifted country singer/songwriter Ethan Garner to the RECORDS Nashville family,” says Joe Fisher, Executive Vice President of A&R, RECORDS Nashville. “Ethan brings a fresh new take on modern country pop storytelling, and with his debut single “Red Wine Stains,” we are excited to introduce fans to an exciting new voice in country.”
“I’m very thankful to RECORDS Nashville/RCA for believing in me and helping me chase my dreams of making memorable music that leaves a legacy,” shares Garner.
As previously announced, Garner has also inked with Champ Management, led by Matt Musacchio under the Red Light Management umbrella, along with securing booking representation at WME.
US Recorded Music 2025 Annual Revenue Achieves New High
/by Lauryn SinkAccording to the RIAA 2025 Year-End Recorded Music Revenue Report, the US wholesale annual revenue achieved a record high of $11.5 billion last year.
Last year, streaming revenues grew to $9.5 billion and for the fifth straight year, streaming represented 82% of total US revenue. The US remains the world’s largest paid subscription market with 106.5 million accounts generating $6.4 billion in revenue. Premium paid subscription revenues grew by 6.8% to $5.88 billion. Additionally, US vinyl sales grew for a 19th consecutive year, representing nearly 50% of the format’s global value.
“Fans are consuming music from the artists they love in more ways than ever, and that passion is reflected in today’s report. 2025 reveals a strong and stable music economy resulting from committed label investment and identification of new spaces to expand artists’ creativity. From the ease of streaming to new vinyl to licensing responsible AI tools and services, labels are diversifying fan engagement,” says Matt Bass, RIAA VP Research and Gold & Platinum Operations. “US recorded music has demonstrated sustained growth globally, reaching $6.4 billion alone in paid subscriptions and tallying 50% of global vinyl revenue, leading the way for fans to listen and connect with their favorite music whenever, wherever and however they want.”
“The last 20 years have been marked by unprecedented transformation for recorded music – from the steady rise to dominance of anytime, anywhere streaming options as listeners enjoy tunes from their favorite artists to a resurgence of vinyl as both a listening experience and collectable art. And now, our industry is advancing free-market licensing, building responsible AI partnerships that enhance discovery, deepen fan engagement and unlock new creative possibilities for how music is made and experienced,” adds RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. “Through it all, music remains a cornerstone of culture and a growing economic powerhouse for the US, contributing $212 billion to our GDP and supporting more than 2.5 million American jobs.”
Read the full report here.
Todd Thomas & Allyson Gelnett (Massey) To Co-Lead Curb Records Country Radio Promotion Department
/by Lorie HollabaughTodd Thomas & Allyson Gelnett (Massey)
Curb Records has promoted Todd Thomas to National Director, Promotion, where he will co-lead the department alongside National Director, Promotion & Strategic Initiatives Allyson Gelnett (Massey).
In his new role, Thomas will direct the regional promotion staff, which includes Samantha DePrez, Bailey White, Rusty Sherrill, and Brian Day, as well as maintain the Western region. Gelnett (Massey) will continue to handle strategic initiatives as well as the Northeast region. Lori Hartigan continues her role as National Director, Media, overseeing promotion at Music Row and Activator radio panels from the West Coast.
Curb Records’ SVP of Promotion RJ Meacham will depart the label at the end of March following 10 years with the company. He will transition to a consulting role beginning in April while working on the launch of a new music business endeavor which will be announced this spring.
“I’m proud of the team and what we’ve accomplished over the past ten years,” shares Meacham. “This past year was a perfect exclamation point: Dylan Scott ended 2025 as the No. 3 airplay artist, Kelsey Hart was named the No. 5 airplay new artist of the year and earned a slot at CRS’ New Faces of Country Music this week, and Lee Brice launched ‘Killed The Man,’ from his upcoming album, arriving June 5.”